Episode 19: The Female Brain with Dr. Sarah McKay

Welcome to episode 2 of the “Neuroscience series” on the Love at First Science Podcast where Dr. Sarah Mc Kay shares her extensive research on the female’s brain resulted in the publication of her book Demystifying the female brain. Together we talk about gender stereotypes, the real role of hormones in emotions, how much we are affected by biology and how much by culture and much more. Topics covered: Dr. Sarah Mc Kay’s story and how she got where she is How she decided to write the book Demystifying the female brain The gender gap in neurology Is there any difference between the female and male’s brain? Biology vs. culture Expectation, stories, lived experience Does the PMS really exist? The roles of the hormones in emotions Contraception and brain Social variables that can impact on our health Reorganization of the brain during pregnancy Practical tips to make an impact on daily life Learn More About Dr. Sarah Mc Kay! I’m an Australian-based (Kiwi born and bred) neuroscientist, speaker, author, media personality and founder of Think Brain and the Neuroscience Academy suite of training programs. I’m a mum to two boys, sailor (co-captaincy shared with husband), botanical artist and ocean swimmer. I explain the brain to helping professionals so they can coach brain-owners in a way that promotes real change and inspires positive action. Brain science and I first met and fell in love way back in 1993 after I read Oliver Sack’s book ‘The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat’. It impacted me profoundly and from that moment I knew little else would fascinate me more than the human brain. After completing an honours degree in Neuroscience at Otago University in New Zealand, I won a Wellcome Trust scholarship to complete my MSc and PhD at Oxford University (where, thrillingly, I followed in Oliver Sacks’ footsteps). I spent my time at Oxford studying the fine art of electrophysiology and answering questions about brain development — what guided synapse growth: nature, nurture or neuroplasticity?’ In 2002, my Irish husband and I headed to Sydney, Australia in search of sunshine, surf and a sailboat (for a year, ahem). I’m delighted to say we found them all (and stayed)! Following a short stint rewriting breast cancer clinical practice guidelines at a cancer council, I spent the next five years researching and teaching neuroscience. During my first postdoc position at NeuRA, I focused on the immune system response to spinal cord injury. At my second postdoc post at Garvan Institute of Medical Research, I looked at neuroplasticity and the development of deafness. Passionate as I was about research, I found myself getting frustrated with failed experiments, the grant application merry-go-round, and the unbearable slowness of the academic publication process. Meanwhile, I found my happy place sharing science with public tour groups, teaching medical students, and writing for online science Q&A forums (back in the good old days before social media!). So after much soul-searching, I put down the pipette, hung up my lab coat, and followed my passion of writing and talking about science and medicine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out & learn more with Dr. Sarah Mc Kay: Sarah Mc Kay Instagram Sarah Mc Kay Instagram My Socials: Celest’s Instagram Celest’s Website